Horn press



L. E. RUTZ Nov. 29, 1966 HORN PRESS Filed May 11, 1965 INVENTOR. lzon/@072 A TTOR NE YS United States Patent 3,288,010 HORN PRESS Leon E.Rutz, Goodhue County, Minm, assignor to Hondaille Industries, Inc.,Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of Michigan Filed May 11, 1965, Ser. No.454,801 7 Claims. (Cl. 83-191) This invention relates generally topresses, and more specifically to a press having an elongated hornincorporated therein for supporting a lower tool.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included invarious presses, a particularly useful application is made in a press ofthe type that produces relative reciprocation between a punch tool and adie tool to effect punching or perforating of a workpiece. Inparticular, when the ultimate part is to have a non-flat configuration,it has been commonplace heretofore to provide all of the perforations inthe workpiece before the workpiece is shaped into a box, tube, or thelike. When the workpiece is formed after the stamping operations havebeen completed, care must be taken to insure that the bends areaccurately located with respect to the holes, As a practical matter, inthe finished part, it is usually more important to have the perforationslocated accurately with respect to one side of the finished workpiece,and when, as in this invention, the workpiece is punched after theworkpiece is formed, the build-up of tolerances is avoided.

The present invention contemplates the utilization of an elongated bornto support the lower tool in a projecting manner, beneath and incooperation with the upper tool, the horn having a relatively small butelongated configuration so that it can be received within various formsof workpiece, such as ducts, boxes, curved housings, and the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pressof the type described wherein a horn projects from the base forsupporting a lower tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a press having alower tool support wherein there is as much workpiece clearance in thearea beneath the ram as is possible.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a press whichis particularly adapted to punch tubular and box-type workpieces.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide aconstruction which will readily enable the substitution of other lowertool supports.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a structure bywhich the setting of a workpiece-locating gage may be preserved eventhough the lower tool support is removed and reinstalled.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide adapterstructure which will enable the position of the lower tool to be readilyadjusted and locked in a position of proper alignment.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the presentinvention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon makingreference to the detailed description and the accompanying drawing sheetin which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principlesof the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a punch press equipped with a hornprovided in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, with partsbroken away, and with parts in cross section, of the horn.

As shown on the drawings:

The principles of this invention are particularly useful 3,288,010Patented Nov. 29, 1966 ice when embodied in a punch press such asillustrated in FIG. 1, generally indicated by the numeral 10. The press10 includes a rigid frame generally indicated at 11, means forreciprocably supporting a first tool generally indicated at 12, anelongated horn-like member or horn 13, and an adaptermeans 14 by whichthe horn 13 is secured to the frame 11.

The rigid frame 11 includes a base portion 15, a riser portion 16extending upwardly from the base portion 15, and an arm portion 17extending horizontally from the upper part 18 of the riser portion 16,and beyond the base portion 15. At the outer end 19 of the arm portion17, the reciprocable means 12 is disposed and supported.

The means 12 includes a reciprocable ram 20 which has a cam follower 21captured within a cam opening 22, the cam surfaces defining the opening22 being pivotally mounted on a shaft 23 and being manually rotated bymeans of a handle 24 in a rocking manner to effect selectivereciprocation of the ram 20. An upper tool or punch 25 is secured to thelower end of the ram 20.

A pair of rigid strippers 26, 26 are adjustably secured to the frame 11,each by a pair of screws or bolts 27 extending through slots in thestrippers 26. The strippers 26 are vertically adjusted to a fixedposition so that the upper surface of the workpiece engages the lowersurface of the strippers in response to upward or retracting movement ofthe punch or upper tool 25, thereby stripping or forcing the workpiecefrom the punch tip that has entered the workpiece.

The elongated horn-like member or horn 13 extends as a cantilever andhas an efiective length substantially the same as that of the armportion 17 of the frame, so that the outer end 28 of the horn-likemember is disposed beneath the ram 20 and the upper tool or punch 25.More specifically, the horn-like member is provided with means 29 at theouter end 28 for fixedly supporting a second tool, here disclosed asbeing a die 30. More specifically, the means 29 comprises an upwardlyopening recess into which a die button 30 is received. A slug chute 31having a size large enough to accommodate the largest anticipated slug,extends from the bottom of the recess 29 through the horn 13. The horn13 is cylindrical and is solid, and the upper face of the die 30 isflush with the uppermost part of the horn 13 so that a workpiece may bejointly supported by both of these parts. If desired, the lower tool ordie 30 may be locked in place by means of a suitable element, herecomprising a set screw 32.

To support the opposite end 33 of the horn-like member 13, the frame 11is provided with a vertical plate 34 which has a front vertical face 35which extends parallel to the direction in which the ram 20reciprocates. The plate 34 has a pair of vertical side edges 36, onedisposed at each side of the vertical face 35.

The adapter means 14 is an assembly or weldment which detachably fixedlysecures the opposite end 33 of the horn-like member 13 to the plate 34.The adapter means 14 includes a clamp portion 37, a spacer portion 38,and a flange portion 39. The portions 3739 are welded together orotherwise formed as a single unit which in effect is an integral part.The flange portion 39 has a set of three apertures through which a groupof three mounting bolts 40 project with a loose fit, the bolts 40 beingthreaded into the vertical plate 34. The clamp portion 37 is generallyC-shaped, with the lower arm of the C-shape welded to the spacer portion38. The upper arm 41 of the clamp portion 37 can be selectively deformedor clamped onto the end 33 of the horn-like member 13 by means of a bolt42 passing freely through the upper arm 41, and threaded into the lowerarm. The clamp portion 37, the spacer portion 38, and the flange portion39 are preferably hollow so that the horn-like member may extendtherethrough and engage the vertical face 35. Such engagementestablishes the location of the lower tool or die 30 with respect to thevertical face 35. If desired, the horn-like member 13 may include anadjustable stop 43 which is coactive between the horn-like member 13 andthe vertical plate 34 to adjustably determine the position or alignmentof the lower tool 30 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe horn-like member 13. In the present embodiment, the adjustable stop43 is carried by the horn-like member 13, and it engages the verticalface 35. Upon release of the clamping bolt 42, the horn-like member 13may be withdrawn to be replaced with a similar member, or to have itssupported tool replaced. Thereafter, upon insertion into the adapter 14,the previously established position of alignment is immediatelyreestablished. With the punch or upper tool 25 received in the lowertool or die 30, the angular position about the longitudinal axis of thehorn-like member is also established or reestablished. If desired, suchalignment may be augmented by suitable keying (not shown).

The vertical plate 34 and the flange portion 39 of the adapter means 14are provided with slot and key means which vertically support theadapter 14 until the bolts 40 are tightened. To this end, in thisembodiment, the flange 39 is provided with a slot 44 which extends in ahorizontal direction. The vertical plate 34 is provided with a pin orkey 45 which is fixedly carried by the vertical plate 34, V

and which projects from the vertical face 35 into the slot 44 so thatthe upwardly directed surface of the key 45 engages and supports thedownwardly directed surface of the slot 44. Such structure enables theadapter means 14 to be moved horizontally by an amount determined by thediametral clearance between the shank of the bolts 40 and the aperturesthrough the flange portion 39.

As seen in FIG. 1, the flange portion 39 and the vertical plate 34 areprovided with adjustment means by which the adapter means 14 may bemoved horizontally to a selected position, namely to that predeterminedposition for the die 30 which is in alignment with the punch 25. To thisend, a pair of ears 46 are secured to the flange portion 39, each ear 46having a thumb screw 47 threaded into it and engageable with theadjacent vertical side edge 36 of the plate 34. By manual manipulationof the adjustment screws 47, the adapter means may be finely movedhorizontally to the ultimate desired position, which is temporarilymaintained by the adjustment screws 47 and the pin and slot structure44, 45, after which the bolts 40 are tightened securely'to maintain suchposition.

A bracket 48 is secured to theflangetpgrtion 39 as by a bolt 49, and thebracket 48 has a clamping portion 50 which receives a rod 51 on whichthere is supported a workpiece locating member 52. The rod 51 may bemoved back and forth along its length and may be rotated about its axisto position the workpiece locating member 52 at any desirable positionabove or alongside the horn-like member 13. The locating member 52 isengaged by the workpiece to position it properly prior to the punchingoperation. Not only may the horn 13 be removed for die change asdiscussed above Without upsetting the setting of the workpiece locatingmember 52, but the entire adapter means 14 may similarly be removedwithout upsetting such setting, such removal being for the purpose ofattaching other die-supporting means. However, whenever desired, theclamp 50 may be loosened to facilitate resetting of the workpiecelocating member 52.

Because of the many adjustments provided in the structure, manufacturingtolerances may be relatively liberal. The adapter means 14 is thusconstructed to enable movement of the die 30 angularly about thelongitudinal axis of the horn-like member 13, and enables adjustment ofthe die position along the longitudinal axis of the horn-like member 13.The adapter means 14 further enables the defining of a predeterminedposition along the longitudinal axis which can repeatedly be obtained asrequired from time to time for die changes. Moreover, adapter means 14may be moved horizontally in a direction parallel to the vertical face35 for adjustment of its position in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the horn-like member 13.

The base portion 15 of the frame 11 may be mounted on any convenientrigid surface, here illustrated fragmentarily as a table-top 53. Withthe base portion disposed at one edge of the table-top 53, the horn-likemember 13 projects well over the edge of the table to enable thepunching of holes in workpieces that may project as far downwardly asthere is clearance to the floor.

Although various minor modifications might be sug-.

gested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wishto embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all suchembodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of mycontribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A press, comprising in combination:

(a) a rigid frame having a vertical face directed in one direction;

(b) means on said frame for supporting a first tool for verticalreciprocation in parallel relation to said vertical face and spaced insaid one direction from said face;

(c) an elongated horn-like member having means at one end for fixedlysupporting a second tool; and

(d) means extending in the direction of said horn-like member anddetachably fixedly secured to said vertical face, and detachably fixedlysecured to the opposite end of said horn-like member, and operative tosupport said horn-like member as a cantilever and to hold the secondtool in a predetermined position in which it may coact with thereciprocable tool.

2. A press, comprising in combination:

(a) a rigid frame having a vertical face directed in one direction;

(b) means on said frame for supporting a first tool for verticalreciprocation in parallel relation to said vertical face. and spaced insaid one direction from said face;

(c) an elongated horn-like memberhaving means at one end for fixedlysupporting a second tool; and

(d) means extending in the direction of said horn-like member anddetachably fixedly secured to said vertical face, and detachably fixedlysecured to the outside of the opposite end portion of said horn-likemember, and operative to support said horn-like member as a cantileverand to hold the second tool in a predetermined position in which it maycoact with the reciprocable tool, said means being hollow along the axisof said horn-like member; and

(e) means on said horn-like member engaging said vertical face to spacesaid second tool a predetermined distance from said vertical face.

3. A press, comprising in combination:

(a) a rigid frame having a vertical face;

(b) means on said frame for supporting a first tool for verticalreciprocationin parallel spaced relation to said vertical face;

(c) an elongated horn-like member having means at one end for fixedlysupporting a second tool;

(d) means detachably fixedly secured to said vertical face, anddetachably fixedly secured to the outside of the opposite end portion ofsaid horn-like member, and operative to hold the second tool in apredetermined position in which it may coact with the reciprocable tool,said means being hollow along the axis of said horn-like member; and

(e) an adjustable stop coactive between said hornlike member and saidvertical face to fix the position of the second tool in the direction inwhich the axis of said horn-like member extends.

4. A press, comprising in combination:

(a) a rigid frame having a vertical plate, said plate having a verticalface disposed between a pair of vertical side edges extendingtransversely thereto;

(b) means on said frame for supporting a first tool for verticalreciprocation in parallel space relation to said vertical face;

(c) an elongated horn-like member having means at one end for fixedlysupporting a second tool;

(d) means detachably fixedly secured to said vertical face, anddetachably fixedly secured to the opposite end of said horn-like member,and operative to hold the second tool in a predetermined position inwhich it may coact with the reciprocable tool; and

(e) adjustment means coactive between said lastnamed means and at leastone of said vertical side edges for adjusting said predeterminedposition in a substantially horizontal direction parallel to saidvertical face.

5. A press, comprising in combination:

(a) a rigid frame having a vertical face;

(b) means on said frame for supporting a first tool for verticalreciprocation in parallel spaced relation to said vertical face;

(c) an elongated horn-like member having means at one end for fixedlysupporting a second tool;

(d) means detachably fixedly securing the opposite end of said horn-likemember to said vertical face in a horizontally selectable position inwhich the tools are in coactive alignment; and

(e) a horizontally extending slot, and a key received in said slot, andcoacting between said last-named means and said frame to precludevertical movement therebetween While enabling the horizontal alignmentof the tools.

6. A press, comprising in combination:

(a) a rigid frame having a vertical plate, said plate having a verticalface disposed between a pair of vertical side edges extendingtransversely thereto;

(b) means on said frame for supporting a first tool for verticalreciprocation in parallel spaced relation to said vertical face;

(c) an elongated horn-like member having means at one end for fixedlysupporting a second tool, at least the opposite end of said horn-likemember being cylindrical;

(d) adapter means detachably fixedly secured to said vertical face in ahorizontally selectable position, and releasably clamped to saidcylindrical opposite end of said horn-like member, said adapter meansbeing hollow along the axis of said horn-like member, and whenunclamped, enabling adjustment of the angular position of said horn-likemember about its longitudinal axis and along its longitudinal axis,

and when clamped, being operative to hold the second tool in apredetermined position in which it may coact with the reciprocable tool;

(e) an adjustable stop coactive between said horn-like member and saidvertical face to fix the position of the second tool in the direction inwhich the axis of said horn-like member extends;

(f) a horizontally extending slot, and a key received in said slot, andcoacting between said last-named means and said plate to precludevertical movement therebetween while enabling said last-named means tobe moved to said horizontally selectable position; and

(g) adjustment means coactive between said lastnamed means and at leastone of said vertical side edges for adjusting said horizontallyselectable position and hence said predetermined position in asubstantially horizontal direction parallel to said vertical face.

7. A press, comprising in combination:

(a) a rigid frame having a vertical face directed in one direction;

(b) means on said frame for supporting a first tool for verticalreciprocation in parallel relation to said vertical face and spaced insaid one direction from said face;

(c) an elongated horn-like member having means at one end for fixedlysupporting a second tool;

(d) means extending in the direction of said horn-like member anddetachably fixedly secured to said vertical face, and detachably fixedlysecured to the opposite end of said horn-like member, and operative tosupport said horn-like member as a cantilever and to hold the secondtool in a predetermined position in which it may coact with thereciprocable tool; and

(e) a workpiece locating member fixedly secured to said last-named meansin a selected position, and removable with said last-named means fromthe vertical face of said frame while said selected position isretained.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 372,785 11/1887Bayrer 83l88 690,906 1/1902 Einfeldt 83195 1,895,589 1/1933 Spatta83-188 2,829,983 4/1958 De Gain 83188 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., PrimaryExaminer.

L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A PRESS, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A RIGID FRAME HAVING AVERTICAL FACE DIRECTED IN ONE DIRECTION; (B) MEANS ON SAID FRAME FORSUPPORTING A FIRST TOOL FOR VERTICAL RECIPROCATION IN PARALLEL RELATIONTO SAID VERTICAL FACE AND SPACED IN SAID ONE DIRECTION FROM SAID FACE;(C) AN ELONGATED HORN-LIKE MEMBER HAVING MEANS AT ONE END FOR FIXEDLYSUPPORTING A SECOND TOOL; AND (D) MEANS EXTENDING IN THE DIRECTION OFSAID HORN-LIKE MEMBER AND DETACHABLY FIXEDLY SECURED TO SAID VERTICALFACE, AND DETACHABLY FIXEDLY SECURED TO THE OPPOSITE END OF SAIDHORN-LIKE MEMBER, AND OPERATIVE TO SUPPORT SAID HORN-LIKE MEMBER AS ACANTILEVER AND TO HOLD THE SECOND TOOL IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION INWHICH IT MAY COACT WITH THE RECIPROCABLE TOOL.